YEREVAN

Russian peacekeeping forces have initiated their withdrawal from Nagorno-Karabakh following Azerbaijan's reclaiming of the disputed region from Armenian separatists last year, as confirmed by the Kremlin.

Azerbaijan on Wednesday accused France of pressuring and threatening the country after Paris recalled its ambassador and accused the Caucasus country of damaging bilateral ties.

Azerbaijan has slammed France on multiple occasions over what it sees as the country's support for rival Armenia in a long-running stand-off between the neighbors.

Azerbaijan and Armenia again crossed swords before the U.N.'s top court on Monday, with Baku accusing Yerevan of using the high profile hearings to wage a "public media campaign" against its bitter Caucasus rival.

The European Union on Friday pledged a 270-million-euro ($290 million) financial package for Armenia as Brussels and Washington push to boost ties with Yerevan while its relations with Russia crumble.

Armenia is witnessing a significant geopolitical shift as the country increasingly distances itself from the Russian orbit, opting instead for closer ties with the West. Recent developments underscore a notable departure from Armenia's traditionally strong alliance with Moscow, signaling a desire for a major realignment in its foreign policy direction.

The recent visit by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Athens and the subsequent visit by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias to Yerevan comes as a result of the boost in bilateral relations, while diplomatic circles stress that the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries affects the wider regional dynamics. 

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday urged arch-foes Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a long-negotiated peace agreement after Baku seized from Armenian separatists the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev has said that the decades-long conflict between Baku and Yerevan has finally given way to an unprecedented opportunity for peace that the sides have never had before.

The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Georgia and Azerbaijan will come together at a trilateral meeting on March 15 in Baku to discuss regional issues and cooperation in various areas, the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman has announced.

Armenia should think with a long-term and strategic vision for peace through a lasting agreement with Azerbaijan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, urging that the current window of opportunity for a regional stability should not be missed.